Louise and James Temerty, C.M. are being honoured for their remarkable legacy of philanthropic leadership and volunteerism in support of the arts in Canada.

For decades, the Temertys have been champions of Canadian culture, supporting institutions including the Royal Ontario Museum, The Royal Conservatory of Music, Music Toronto, the Canadian Opera Company, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, the Shevchenko Foundation, the Canada Ukraine Foundation, and the Ottawa Chamber Music Society.

They approach philanthropy with the conviction that investing in arts and culture is an investment in society itself, fostering human development, social cohesion, and a more connected Canada.

“Their steadfast belief in the power of music and the arts to enrich lives and strengthen communities has had an extraordinary impact on the RCM and across Canada’s cultural landscape.”

— Alexander Brose, Michael and Sonja Koerner President & CEO, The Royal Conservatory of Music

Edmund C. Bovey Award Partner

Janice Price, President & CEO, ROM Governors, is being recognized for over four decades of service to Canada’s cultural sector.

Price has held senior leadership positions at major institutions in Canada and abroad, including the Stratford Festival, Luminato Festival, and Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. She is currently responsible for all philanthropic activities in support of the Royal Ontario Museum’s mission.

A respected mentor and strategic leader, she has dedicated her career to strengthening organizations, empowering arts leaders, and building partnerships that advance a vibrant arts sector.

“Janice leads with a clear sense of purpose, pairing strategic thinking with a long-term vision for sustainable growth. She strengthens institutions by building strong teams, cultivating meaningful partnerships, and creating the conditions for lasting impact.”

— Jeff Willner, Chair, ROM Board of Governors

Peter Herrndorf Arts Leadership Award Partner

Neesha Hothi is being recognized for her community-driven leadership and work advancing South Asian artists and cultural communities across Canada.

As Executive Director of 5X Festival, Canada’s largest South Asian youth festival, and Founder of SHOR and Women Behind the Sound, Hothi creates stronger pathways for emerging artists while expanding representation and access across Canada’s music and arts sectors.

Through her entrepreneurial and advocacy work, she is championing culturally responsive leadership and building more inclusive spaces for artists and audiences alike.

“What distinguishes Neesha is her long-term commitment to community, working quietly behind the scenes to elevate diverse voices. She has supported the South Asian music ecosystem through its earliest grassroots days and now through a moment of renewed national visibility.”

— Nate Sabine, Director of Business Development at Blueprint Entertainment and Chair of the Canadian Live Music Association

MacLeod Group is being recognized for its longstanding commitment to cultural and community life across Atlantic Canada.

A leading provider of long-term care and retirement living in Atlantic Canada, the company is guided by values of care, connection, and community reflected in the legacy of its founders, the late Brian and Irene MacLeod.

MacLeod Group supports arts organizations including Festival Antigonish, Mulgrave Road Theatre, the Antigonish Highland Games Society, as well as educational and healthcare institutions across the region. Through longstanding partnerships and leadership, it invests in the people, places, and cultural experiences that bring communities together.

“We are honoured to carry forward Brian and Irene MacLeod’s legacy of supporting the arts. They understood that strong communities are built not only through care, but through connection, creativity, and shared experiences. That belief continues to guide us today, as we invest in the people and organizations that bring culture to life across our communities.”

— Ramsay Duff, CEO, MacLeod Group

Jamii and Berkeley Castle are receiving the 2026 Community Impact Award for their transformative partnership in Toronto’s Esplanade neighbourhood. Over the past fifteen years, the collaboration has created a vibrant, community-centred arts campus rooted in belonging, creativity, and public participation.

Together, they present hundreds of arts events, support more than 600 artists, and welcome nearly 100,000 participants through community festivals, youth leadership initiatives, workshops, and public art activations.

“At the heart of Jamii is a belief in the power of the arts to bring people together. We create spaces where neighbours, artists, and families feel connected to one another and to the community around them.”

— Isorine Marc, Founder and Artistic/Executive Director, Jamii

“For us, this partnership is about investing in place-making through the arts — and continuing to evolve alongside the community it serves. We’re proud to help build a cultural home where artists, residents, and community life can grow together.”

— Linda Leistner, Manager, Berkeley Castle

Presenting Partner